Mack Rhoades leaving Missouri to become Baylor athletics director

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COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 9: University of Missouri-Columbia Athletic Director Mack Rhoades speaks to the media during a news conference on the campus of University of Missouri - Columbia on November 9, 2015 in Columbia, Missouri. University of Missouri System President Tim Wolfe resigned today amid protests over racial tensions at the university. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)

Rhoades will replace former athletic director Ian McCaw, who resigned amid Baylor's scandal and Title IX lawsuit into the way the school handled sexual-assault cases involving its football players. Coach Art Briles also lost his job in the process. University president Ken Starr was removed from that post, resigned as chancellor but remains a law school teacher.

Rhoades oversaw the Mizzou athletic department during a time of heavy media attention in Columbia. He's only been on the job since April 2015, but he oversaw the department after the football team stated its intent to boycott all activities until the university's president resigned amid racial strife at the school.

"The past year has taught me a great deal about who I am as a person and as a leader. I am very grateful to the people I've worked with and come to know throughout the state of Missouri. The experience has helped galvanized a commitment to my core values and to the values I want to infuse into an athletics program," Rhoades said in Baylor's news release on his hire. "I look forward to the opportunity to join Baylor University at this important time in its history. I am excited to support and develop programs of the highest caliber, in facilities that are second to none, alongside coaches who are among the best in the industry, all grounded in a Christian tradition and committed to academic excellence."

He's also got a football coach hunt under his belt, in case Baylor decides to go in another direction after coach Jim Grobe's first year at the helm. Longtime Missouri coach Gary Pinkel retired last November, and Rhoades hired Barry Odom to take his place a month later.

Barry Odom on Rhoades: "I found out last night. I didn’t have any clue before then. I respect Mack calling me and having the conversation."